Automatic closure for outlet ends of dispensing receptacles



Sept. 11, 1934. G. B. ANDERSON 1,973,459

AUTOMATIC CLOSURE FOR OUTLET ENDS OF DISPENSING RECEPTACLES Filed March 27, 1933 11* y 7141 5 M456 w 174.0. V :g, 5

INVENTOR.

"4 BY fig I: Cl I ATT1;RNE?" ill] Patented Sept. 11, 1934 FFICE AUTOMATIC CLOSURE FOR OUTLET ENDS OF DISPENSING RECEPTACLES Guy B. Anderson, Baltimore, Md., assignor of one-half to Sophie I Application March 27,

' 3 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible containers or other containers for dispensing fluid or semifiuid material, and specifically, to automatic closures tor outlet ends of dispensing receptacles.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved and thoroughly practical outlet closure which automatically opens under pressure of the material being dispensed, and which automatical- 1y closes when the pressure is discontinued.

Another object is to provide the outlet end with a dispensing orifice whose margin is substantially as thin as a knife-edge so there is the minimum surface in contact with the closure; thereby avoiding the cementing of the closure to the outlet end, and the consequent resistance to the egress of the material in case such material is of a glutinous character; also thereby avoiding the formation of hard lumps or crusts of material at the outside of the dispensing orifice; hence, avoiding the waste and inconvenience caused by such cementing, and by such hardened parts of material.

Another object is to provide a device of this kind that is applicable to the outlet ends of the containers, either within the necks, or outside of the necks, whether the necks are screw-threaded or not, and preferably united with an originally separate head or cap secured to the dispensing necl; by screwethreads or by other appropriate means.

Another object is to provide a device ofthis kind that consists of a very few parts which are very simple and easily formed, assembled and applied, and which are made of materials that are or may be placed in the containers for being dispensed therefrom.

Other objects and important features are pointed out or implied in the following details oi description, in connection with the accompany-=- ing drawing in which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of one form of the invention, the section through the closureseat and resilient closure member being along the line l--'l oi Fig. 5.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing the closure depressed by outfiowing material.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing a closure-seat fitted in the neck of the container.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing theclosure-containing cap fitted on a threadless neck of a container, and swaged into permanent engagement with the neck.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a resilient closure such as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, enclosed in B. Dickman, Baltimore,

1933, Serial No. 662,933

the closure-seat which is shown in section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

- Referring to this drawing in detail, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar parts in the several views, the invention is described in detail as follows:

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the externally screw-threaded neck, of the collapsible tube or receptacle is shown, while the unthreaded neckv (of Figs. 3 and 4) is shown at 10a and 10b, respectively. The screw-cap or dispensing head of Figs. 1 and 2 is shown at 11, that of Fig. 3 is shown at 11a, that of Fig. 4 is shown at 11b. In each assembly-view, the cap or dispensing head is formed with an outlet or dispensing orifice 12 which has a knife-edge margin, the surrounding material being tapered inward to the orifice from a circle around the latter, so that the relatively thick part around each orifice supports the relatively thin or knife-edge margin of the orifice; that is, the margin 13 which is substantially as thin and acute as an ordinary knife edge. The knife-edge margin is shown at 13 in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the closure-seat 14 is in the form of an annulus or a cylindrical cup having a central opening 15; while the closure-seat of Fig. 3 is shown at 14c. and has a central opening 15 which has an outer marginal flange l6. The openings 15 are the outlets of the closureseats which are tightly fitted in the respective caps or heads so as to be firmly united therewith; while the marginal parts around the openings 15 hold the respective closures 17 in their operative positions.

Now, referring to Fig. 5, it is seen that the resilient closure 17 comprises a number of segmental parts 17a whose inner parts are separated by slots or slits 17b and whose outer ends are united by narrow resilient elements l'iaaat the outer ends of the slits. The purpose of these elements l'iaa. is to hold the resilient segments in properly assembled relation while placing them in the closure-seat 14.- or 14a; for when they have been properly assembled they would operate the same if the slits or joints 17b were long enough to eliminate the uniting elements 171w. Each segment 17a has one or more concavities l7ab between angular resilient parts 1711a and 17121) which are pressure-fitted against the inner surface of the wall of the closure seat 14 or 14a and combine therewith and with the inner surface of the dispensing head or cap 11, 110. or 11b, to form air pockets in which air and resilient material of the closure can be depressed by the outfiowing fiuid or semi-fluid against the centrally and outwardly converging surfaces 17a: of the resilient segments. fl'he air in the pockets l'lab combines with the resiliency of the closure-segments (especially of their angular parts l'laa and PIN to return them to the outletclosing relation shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

For use in dispensing certain materials, the exposed parts or the closure 1'! may be covered with suitable chemical-resistant material, as previously explained for the closure 17o17d.

The main distinctive features that are common to the several forms of this invention are the resilient compressible closures, their air-,

' ventive ideas as implied and claimed.

WhatI claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with a dispensing receptacle which includes a hollow neck, an originally separate hollow head secured on said neck, an originally separate closure-seat tight-fitted in said originally separate hollow head; a closure integrally formed with resilient parts which are combined with contiguous parts in said head and closure seat to form an air-pocket into which a part of the resilient closure can be compressed against air in the air-pocket when pressure is properly applied for compressing the closure, the inherent resiliency of the closure and of the air in said air-pocket being eilective to normally hold said closure against the margin of said outlet for closing the latter.

2. In combination with a dispensing receptacle having a non-collapsible hollow end formed with an outlet orifice, a closure seat in said hollow end and integrally formed with a continuous wall, a closure having resilient parts snugly fitted against said continuous wall and having a concavity that combines with the wall to form an air-tight pocket that excludes liquid and provides a space in which the closure can be compressed against air-pressure, the closure being normally heldby its inherent resiliency against the margin of the outlet orifice for closing the latter and being properly shaped and arranged to be compressed towards said air-tight pocket and. away from said outlet orifice by pressure thereon of liquid or semi-liquid within said hollow end of the receptacle.

3. An element of a dispensing receptacle comprising a resilient closure formed of a set of angular. segments having sides normally fitted closely against one another and having their apexes normally meeting at the central part, said central part being of proper outwardly converging shape to be separated by outward pressure of fluid thereag'ainst for providing an outlet orifice, each of said segments being formed with a concavity in a side opposite to the apex of the angular segments.

GUY B. ANDERSON. 

